Wedding Journey is an immersive installation consisting of 360 VR video, holographic projection on water screens and sound, looking at the mysterious life cycle and migration of the critically endangered European eel.
Told from the eels’ perspective, the project aims to cast a light on the story of this critically endangered animal whose existence is threatened by human action and climate change. Here, the eels are taken as a metaphor for the human strife for self-fulfilment, the seek for the utopian place and state.
Drawing parallels between the lives of humans and eels in the wake of climate change, the piece deals with the struggles of overcoming borders and barriers, in a world where long journeys and migrations are increasingly becoming more difficult.
Both water screen and 360 VR dance sequence are choreographed by Georgia Tegou, and the 360 VR cinematography by Amelia Shivani Hasard. Music by Glen Johson.
Dancers: Amy Dakin Harris, Rebecca Namgauds, Vanessa Michielon, Michalis Theofanous and Antonia Ptohides.
The script for the water screen projections is informed by interviews with Dr. Matthew Gollock, ZSL (Zoological Society London), chair of the AESG (Anguillid Eel Specialist Group) and Dr. Joe Pecorelli, Citizen Science Project Leader, ZSL, research from Dr. Zoran Spirkovski, Hydrobiological institute in Ohrid, North Macedonia on the European eel living in the Ohrid lake.
The R&D for this project has been developed as part of the FLAMIN Fellowship Programme and it’s supported by the Arts Council England and the Fenton Arts Trust. The exhibition production is supported by the Ministry of Culture, North Macedonia.